Buyers Cautious, November Sales Disappointing

November was another disappointing month for the nation’s largest general retailers as consumers continued to spend cautiously, according to sales reports released today.

The nation’s largest retailer, Sears, Roebuck & Co., said its sales rose 0.7% in November from the same month in 1986. Its sales for the first 43 weeks of the year were up 3.1% from the same period a year earlier.

J. C. Penney Co. Inc. reported a 4.3% sales increase in November and a 5.1% rise so far this year. K mart Corp. said its sales rose 6.6% last month and 7.7% so far this year.

Federated Department Stores Inc., which owns mass merchandise and upscale department stores, said its sales rose 1.1% last month and 6.3% so far this year.

Carter Hawley Hale Stores Inc. reported sales at its five department store divisions rose 0.7% last month and 4% over the year-to-date period.